Philip Diamond Radio Net Coordinator University of Manchester Jodrell Bank Observatory

1. Philip Diamond RadioNetCoordinator University of Manchester Jodrell Bank Observatory FP7 RadioNet and CCAT: 13 September 2006 Cardiff

2. European Radio Astronomy

3. European Radio Astronomy

4. The near future • Yebes 40m 2006 (commissioning) • SCUBA-2 2006/7 • LOFAR 2006/7 • e-MERLIN 2008 • Sardinia 64m 2008 • ALMA 2009+ • e-EVN 2009 • In addition, EVLA will be coming on-line • …. and the SKA + its pathfinders KAT and MIRA

5. RadioNetPartners & Mission • RadioNet has 24 partners: most of the major radio astronomy facilities and laboratories involved in technology development. • Grew out of 25 years of cooperation in the European VLBI Network. • Coordinated by Univ. of Manchester, UK • Remit is to support the European radio astronomy community and to enhance the European radio astronomy facilities • RadioNet was awarded €12.4M by the EC • Is becoming a major factor in our plans for planning the future of European radio astronomy.

6. Scope of FP6 RadioNet • Trans-National Access (TNA) • Effelsberg, EVN, IRAM (PdB & PV), JCMT, MERLIN, OSO-20m, WSRT • Joint Research Activities (JRA) • ALBUS: algorithm and software for interferometry • AMSTAR: developing new mm/submm devices and instrumentation • PHAROS: developing 5 GHz prototype FPA • Networking Activities (NA) • science, engineering, (software), ALMA, spectrum management; planning for the future

7. FP7 Planning • Meeting in Volterra in April 2006 to plan FP7 RadioNet • Expected size: • Build a proposal aiming at ~ €20-25M, dependent on advice from DG-Research. • Will have TNAs, Networks and JRAs • FP7 will run for 6/7 years – maybe too long for an I3 • Principles: • The strategy must be science-driven. • Exploite new and strategic instruments owned and operated by Europe, e.g. e-MERLIN, e-EVN, PdB, upgraded single-dishes, LOFAR, ALMA and SKA • Enunciate clear goal for the inclusion of a particular R&D area • Ensure that we educate and train the next generation of astronomers and engineers: • Think strategically and on European-scale, not nationally

8. Summary of 20 April Meeting • JRAs – 4/5 major areas have emerged • FPAs : • develop next generation of phased and horn arrays, • move from (generally) conceptual and R&D phase to deployment of large-scale arrays for astronomy, from GHz – THz • Clearly enhances existing facilities but also very relevant for the future.

9. Low-frequency (1.4-5 GHz) beam-forming arrays to maximise the potential of the EVN • Mid-frequency (30-120 GHz) horn arrays to maximise the potential of large single dishes in Europe (e.g. Yebes, Effelsberg, SRT etc) • High frequency (100-1000 GHz) horn arrays to maximise the potential of high-altitude single dishes in the era of ALMA Focal Plane Arrays are science multipliers

10. Continuation of AMSTAR • AMSTAR+ : Very Large Format FPAs at mm/submm wavelengths and State of the Art Methodologies at THz frequencies • Wideband SIS mixers with integrated HEMT amplifiers. • Compact 2SB and SSB SIS mixers. • Extension of this work to the THz domain with HEBs and SIS mixers. • Local oscillators for large focal plane mm/submm array receivers and for THz frequencies. • Development of cryogenic 3-mm MMIC amplifiers in collaboration with a European foundry. • Development of new detector technologies for broadband continuum and spectral line signal observations. • Construction of scaled prototype of a very large millimeter-wave heterodyne FPA.

11. Other possible JRAs • Algorithm development, especially for interferometry, has been under-resourced for > decade. • One major software JRA: • Continuation of ALBUS, ParselTongue • Radio interferometry algorithm development in modern environment; software/algorithms for FPAs • Distributed/parallel computing for large datasets • Digital systems: • CORFU – next generation correlator development • Next generation pulsar timing equipment • VLBI backends • Clock distribution for SKA : relevant now, e-MERLIN, e-EVN

12. Networks • Science workshop activity: • Coordinates workshops in different areas : general science themes, mm/submm-related themes (separate in FP6); pulsar meetings; panchromatic workshops supporting SKA science case. • Activity running schools & maybe science personnel exchanges: • m/dm/cm/mm/submm interferometry schools • Single-dish schools • YERAC • Solar physics schools • Spectrum management Schools • Training in best engineering practice

13. Other possible Networks • Geonet – link geodesy to European astronomy activities • LOFAR across Europe: planning, RFI, long-baseline calibration strategies… • SKA non-astronomy applications • QASP for E. European antennas • Space VLBI – preparation for VSOP-2. Will now happen, so important we organise ourselves. • ESKAC • Policy / Industrial links

14. TNAs Strong case for major existing facilities (but all should be re-examined) • Several major new instruments coming on-line soon and in FP7 period – LOFAR, Yebes, SRT • Other large facilities : NRT, GMVA • Smaller, more focused facilities : INAF 32ms, APEX (Swedish time), Nancay radioheliograph, AMI/VSA

15. Timeline • Will be relative to issuance of Call for Proposals and date of proposal submission (To). • Believe To will be ~Dec 2007, i.e. 2nd call within FP7 • Timeline: • Set deadline of 15Feb07 for receipt of more developed ideas • June07 months : institute peer review process for TNAs • July07 months : 2nd & final FP7 planning meeting, emerge with final list of projects; decide on new membership • Oct07 months : fully developed project proposals to be received, small team start development of overall proposal • 15Nov07 month : Board approves FP7 proposal • 1Dec07– submit